The Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City School Board made five attempts at a referendum in the past three years before voters approved an operating levy for the financially strapped district.

"It finally came through," Superintendent Keith Redfield said after election judges finished counting ballots at about 1 a.m. Thursday. "Justice is finally being done for our kids."

The levy passed by more than 100 votes. Unofficial totals showed 1,136 people voting yes to 1,033 voting no on the one question put to voters on the ballot — whether they would authorize the School Board to revoke the existing levy of $650 per pupil unit and replace it with a levy of $1,075 per pupil unit.

 The totals are not final until the School Board meets at 7:30 a.m. Friday at the ACGC district office to canvass the election results.

However, it was hard not to hear the relief and enthusiasm in the voices of school officials.

"It's wonderful," School Board chairwoman Judy Raske said from her home early Thursday morning. "Graduation is going to be a lot more fun this year."

The levy will increase district residents’ property taxes for seven years, starting with taxes payable in spring 2009. The levy would increase revenue to the district’s general fund by approximately $437,000, beginning with the 2009-10 school year.

In addition to property taxes, state aid also will be part of the levy funds.

This is the fifth time the School Board has sought a levy referendum since the school district plunged into statutory operating debt in 2005. The state gave the district three years to emerge from SOD. Without increased levy revenue, the district had to cut expenses, which it did by about $1 million.

Business Manager Connie Dallmann said the school district will be out of statutory operating debt by June 30, but still will be in debt, just not as deep.

 The additional revenue will help the district emerge from debt and allow the School Board to look ahead at slowly restoring classes and programs that were cut, Raske said. "I'm glad it passed." 

Check out this Web site and read the May 29 Independent Review for more information about the passing of the levy.